Creating a new tool to quickly diagnose oral diseases using dental plaque samples
Official title: Development of an Integrated Dental Plaque Bioanalytical Platform for Point-of-Care Diagnostics of Oral Diseases
Funded at Oregon State University · NIH-11118374 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, easy-to-use tool that checks dental plaque for early signs of cavities by measuring certain substances made by mouth bacteria, helping patients quickly understand their oral health and take action to prevent tooth decay.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Corvallis, United States) |
| Project start | June 17, 2025 |
| Project end | June 16, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $422,665 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DE034919-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11118374 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for dental caries, including those with a history of dental decay or poor oral hygiene.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no natural teeth or those who do not produce dental plaque may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a user-friendly biosensing platform that can analyze dental plaque samples to detect early signs of dental caries. By measuring the levels of hydrogen peroxide and lactic acid produced by bacteria in the mouth, the platform aims to provide immediate feedback on oral health. Patients will benefit from a quick and accurate method for assessing their risk of dental decay, potentially leading to timely preventive measures. The approach involves innovative electrochemical sensors that can analyze small samples of dental plaque.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection of dental caries, reducing the need for more extensive and costly treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Similar research has shown promise in using biosensing techniques for diagnosing other health conditions, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon State University
Corvallis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koley, Dipankar — Oregon State University
- Study coordinator: Koley, Dipankar
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.